The March 26 meeting of the Antiques Study Club took place at the Woman’s Club. Crissi Winans, club president, opened the meeting. The club motto, “preserving yesterday and today for tomorrow,” was recited.

Patricia Slattery, poet laureate, read a poem “April Rain,” written by Robert Loveman, which was the inspiration for the song “April Showers.”

Judith Scalise, an Antiques Study Club member, was the guest speaker for the meeting. She resides in Sheffield at 220 Horton Ave. with her husband Jeffery. Judith graduated from Edinboro University and taught 33 years for Warren County School District. She worked with elementary students and especially enjoyed teaching third grade. Her hobbies include looking for treasures at antique stores, flea markets, and estate sales, and uses these “special treasures” in decorating her home.

When Judith Scalise walks into a room people notice her presence. She is a fashion statement with her elaborate jewelry, her unique fashion style, and her passion for purses. Judith’s philosophy is simple. “You can’t have too many purses.” Club members were overwhelmed with her panoramic collection of one hundred purses. Her “one of a kind” purses included Victorian, mother of pearl, decoupaged, wooden purses, and an Audrey Hepburn cigar purse.

Mrs. Scalise gave an in-depth program explaining the history of purses. As an activity, Judith had members find unusual things they keep in their purse. Prizes were awarded when they showed things she requested.

Throughout most of history, both men and women used handbags for practical purposes. Ancient people used cloth bags to carry weapons, tools and flint. Ancient Greeks carried coin purses hung from the belt that were hidden in folds of clothing. Over time handbags grew more fanciful, made of elaborate embellishments, clasps, and drawstrings. The introduction of pockets towards the end of the 1700’s meant that the men’s bags slowly disappeared and from then on bags belonged almost exclusively to the women’s domain. In the 1800’s, purses became more sophisticated and decorative. In the 1900’s, and to present time, there has been an inspiration for handbags to become practical and appealing to women with complicated fasteners, locks, hardware, beads, jewels and metallic shades of gold, sliver and bronze. Internal compartments for glasses, cosmetics, cell phones, etc., are now part of every popular purse.

Some club members and guess shared their favorite vintage handbag and the special meaning they have.

After the presentation, members enjoyed refreshments, which were provided by Linda Falconer and her committee.

The next meeting will be April 23 at the Warren Woman’s Club. Jane Roche and Paula Trisket will be the guest speakers from the Whistle Stop Antique Mall in Corry.